Review of The Sun is Also a Star-Nicola Yoon

I loved her novel, Everything Everything, and this new book doesn't disappoint.  While it's not as shocking or unusual as Yoon's first book, her characters are compelling and the format creative.  Natasha is an undocumented Jamaican living in New York.  With time running out and her whole family due to be deported that night, she makes a trek to immigration authority to make one last plea for clemency.  Also on his way downtown for a college interview, Daniel, a Korean American, is reluctant to go to this appointment because he doesn't really want to go toYale and major in pre-med as his parents insist.  These two teens cross paths and although an unlikely romantic pair, they fall in love and try to change each other's destiny.  You will root for the science-obsessed Natasha and Daniel, the poet, as well as their families and characters they meet in passing.  5 Elves - Highly Recommended for teens and adults

Review of Of Fire & Stars-Audrey Coulthurst

This is not your typical epic fantasy.  Denna goes to a neighboring kingdom to wed the prince and unite their kingdoms.  What the prince doesn't realize is that Denna has magic that she struggles to control; his kingdom punishes anyone suspected of having or using magic.  As Denna tries to keep her secret, she finds herself falling in love with the prince's sister who is engaged to another prince from another kingdom. As Denna tries to hide her magic and her love, an assassination brings the two women together as they try to figure out the murder suspects.  I'm looking forward to the sequel.  4 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults

Review of Fate of the Tearling-Erika Johansen

Johansen's first book in the series, The Queen of the Tearling, was a fresh entry in the epic fantasy genre; the world she created was original and her characters well-developed.  Her second book, The Invasion of the Tearling, was as its title suggested: the horror of war as another kingdom invades; this novel was too warlike and gruesome for my taste, especially the torture scenes.  Her final book, The Fate of the Tearling, is less bloody and sends the reader back and forth through time.  Although at times I wished for a spreadsheet to keep all the characters from the past & present straight, I enjoyed this final book for its resolution to a complicated issue.  The ending is surprising but strangely satisfying.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for mature teens and adults

Review of Heartless-Marissa Meyer

I loved Meyer's Lunar Chronicles, a creative mix of science-fiction & fantasy, but didn't love her latest novel as much.  Her other series was a fresh take on classic fairy tales but in this book, she takes on Wonderland.  It tells the backstory of the Queen of Tarts, who never wanted to marry the king; she just wanted to open a bakery and be with the king's joker, the love of her life.  But there is political intrigue in the kingdom and finding out the truth may cost her her dream. Because Wonderland is already an established world, there wasn't as much room for Meyer to let her imagination soar. 3 Elves - Recommended for teens and adults

Review of What Light-Jay Asher

Because I loved his book Thirteen Reasons Why, I was excited when Asher's new book was published.  Unfortunately although it's a nice enough story, I felt like I was reading a script for a Hallmark holiday movie.  It was a light romance, without any huge conflicts or revelations.  Not a terrible book, but not a great one either.  2 Elves - Lightly recommended for fans of Hallmark movies

Review of Crooked Kingdom-Leigh Bardugo

I loved her novel, Six of Crows and this sequel is even better.  The world that Bardugo creates is very complex but these two books are more accessible than her previous trilogy, and the resolution more positive.  Her characters are complicated but so very likable.  The book is thrilling, with fascinating dialogue and gorgeous descriptions.  There is a steam-punk flavor to the story, along with capers, slavery and magic.  Fabulous!  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults

Review of Because You'll Never Meet Me-Leah Thomas

Ollie and Moritz are best friends but they can never meet.  Ollie is deathly allergic to electricity and lives like a hermit in the woods of the Upper Peninsula.  Moritz must have a pacemaker and other electrical implants to be able to see and function; he lives in Germany.  Because they are both lonely, a doctor brings them together as pen pals and their friendship slowly grows.  But, Ollie and Moritz are linked by more than their handicaps as each encourages the other to stretch their boundaries.  Both teens are unusual and compelling; you find yourself rooting for them, hoping they'll manage to meet someday.  4 Elves - Highly recommended for teens and adults